I just quit smoking last Thursday the 24th of Feb.

I am looking to get into some sort of shape but I have problems physically and mentally that make me lethargic. In 1999 I had 2 back operations, one on the lower back to reconnect nerves that had split and one in the neck area to literally keep my head on straight. I suffer from depression and take anti depressants at supper time and at bed time. I am 6'6" 200 pounds with no upper body strength. Can a trainer set up a program designed for my situation?

Congrats for quitting! I just quit last week as well, so I can really relate. Incidently, Feb 24th was my birthday : ) I wanted to be a non smoker by the time I turned 29 & so far so good. I also take antidepressants & feel over tired from those, as well as the meds I take for epilepsy. I try to think of the tiredness & lethargy as just another reason to eat healthy, drink lots of water, and exercise to give me extra energy..And Yes, I totally think I trainer can design a program for you to begin with, even with the nerve issues..

Thanks I'll take that into consideration. Belated happy birthday to you and many more and also congrats on quitting. I have quit umpteen times for as long as 4 months then something stressful happens and I start again. The first time I quit was for 16 years and then one day on the way home from work I was stressed stopped at a store for something and ended up buying cigs.

Congrats on quitting smoking. Keep up the good work! I quit smoking on October 17, 2010 and so far so good!

A trainer can definitely help you out. I've worked with 4 trainers in the past and they were able to accommodate my various 'problem' areas which are no longer really a problem anymore since I'm getting into shape. You'll find your mental health will improve over time as you get into better shape!

It won't happen over night but all of a sudden you'll feel as though a switch has been flipped in your body and you'll feel great!

Congrats on the end of your smoking scene and certainly a trainer could set up a plan for you. I don't think you said whether you are seeing a counselor or any psychological review. Might be wise to get input from your doctor or counselor.... the trainer, if he or she is thorough would want to review the input to make sure a proper "path" for your fitness success has been planned.

Alfred, as one older gentleman to another, I wish I could be up there personally to congratulate you on giving up smoking and hiring a personal trainer. What you are doing is the best investment in yourself you can possibly make. I hope you get a trainer to coach you both on exercising and nutrition.

After stopping my cancer therapy, I hired such a personal trainer and you can see the results. What you can't see is my metabolic age. At the chronoloical age of 56, I had the metabolism of a 66 year old. After a year with my PR, I had the metabolism of a 50 yo. And 10 months later, I had the metabolism of a 39 yo!

BTW, cigarette smoke strips the vit A from your lungs leading to emphasema (sp?) You might want to up your vit A intake from veggies to help your lungs repair themselves.

Congratulations Alfred and ES on giving up the cigs. Not sure how you are doing it, but the only thing working for me is the patch, which I am about to come off. I started working out slowly a couple of weeks after and five months later, I have dropped 30lbs and feel great though there are problem areas that are being stubborn but coming along. Good luck on your new chapter and update often. Some of us need to see inspiring stories to keep going when the going gets tough.

Good job! I quit smoking when I was 22, started when I was 15ish. After I had my cravings, the oral fixation is what killed me. Doctor Pepper through a straw and carrots. I felt so much better about a month later. I relapsed on it a few times but feeling like shit always kept me from continuing it. Good Luck!